Freedom of Religion

News about Freedom of Religion, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jun. 23, 2016

Police Officer Masood Syed brings federal class-action lawsuit against New York Police Dept over no-beard policy after he was suspended for not shaving during Ramadan; argues policy infringes on rights of more than 100 officers to exercise religious freedoms; department counters that rule exists for officers' safety. MORE

Apr. 16, 2016

Increasing number of America's Southern cities are splitting with their states on social issues, like gay rights, moving toward common ground with big cities on East and West Coasts; resistance across South to conservative state laws like those purporting to protect freedom of religion by removing anti-discrimination protections, or blocking cities from setting their own minimum wages, are among proposals bringing resistance to fierce level and spurring boycott movements. MORE

Mar. 29, 2016

Mar. 25, 2016

Chinese authorities release lawyer Zhang Kai, who was detained in August 2015 while defending churches in southeastern China against removal of crosses by police. MORE

Mar. 23, 2016

Georgia Gov Nathan Deal is considering signing religious freedom bill, passed by state's General Assembly, that gives greater legal protection to faith-based groups opposing same-sex marriage; supporters see bill as answer to Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage, but many business leaders and gay rights activists view such a law as discriminatory. MORE

Mar. 23, 2016

Kansas Gov Sam Brownback signs legislation approved by Republican-dominated Legislature that allows faith-based groups at college campuses to restrict membership to like-minded people; proponents say bill supports religious freedom but critics view it as potential form of discrimination. MORE

Mar. 19, 2016

Op-Ed article by Constance Veit, director of vocations for Little Sisters of the Poor, explains that organization is suing Dept of Health and Human Services over conviction that birth control provisions within Affordable Care Act violate their faith; adds that even opt-out provision forces them to waive protections under civil rights laws. MORE

Mar. 9, 2016

Missouri State Senate Democrats continue second day of filibuster against legislation granting new legal protection to opponents of same-sex marriage; supporters of bill cite religious freedom, while opponents point to discrimination. MORE

Mar. 8, 2016

State Dept decries India's decision to deny visa requests by members of commission appointed by United States government to examine religious freedom violations worldwide. MORE

Mar. 8, 2016

Dispute over prayer breaks for employees of Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Fort Morgan, Colo, that led to 150 employees being fired exemplifies difficulties communities and companies face in dealing with shifting demographics and new cultures; company maintains they actively try to grant all religious requests, but employees, who are primarily Muslim, say they were told breaks were being limited. MORE

Mar. 5, 2016

India denies visas to members of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; team had planned to visit India to assess religious liberty there. MORE

Mar. 4, 2016

Fight over proposed legislation in Georgia offering legal protections for opponents of same-sex marriage is escalating as business groups come out in opposition to bill, which bars 'adverse action' by government against individuals or businesses adhering to religious beliefs; legislation is similar to other bills, known as First Amendment Defense Acts, that have been proposed in at least seven other states. MORE

Feb. 3, 2016

Hundreds of Muslim scholars hold conference in Marrakesh, Morocco, to confront violence in Islamic world; issue Marrakesh Declaration, which calls for Muslim countries to tolerate and protect religious minorities living within their borders--among them Christians, Jews, Hindus and Bahais as well as Yazidis and Sabians. MORE

Jan. 30, 2016

Texas State Supreme Court rules in favor of high school cheerleaders who claim their right to free speech was impinged upon by Kountze school district when it ordered them not to display banners inscribed with Bible verses at football games. MORE

Dec. 17, 2015

Larycia Hawkins, associate professor at evangelical Christian school Wheaton College, is placed on administrative leave for wearing headscarf and stating Muslims and Christians worship the same God on social media. MORE

Nov. 12, 2015

Chinese Communist Party in Tibet reveals plans to root out party members and cadres in region who secretly worship Dalai Lama or maintain other religious beliefs. MORE

Jul. 12, 2015

Emily Bazelon First Words column observes that while America has a long history of making exceptions to the law for people of faith in the name of religious liberty, many conservatives are now exploiting this today to exclude others and exert social control. MORE

Jul. 8, 2015

Colorado court case to determine whether bakery owner Jack Phillips's refusal to make cake for gay couple's wedding was discriminatory is being closely watched in wake of Supreme Court decision affirming right to same-sex marriage nationally; similar legal skirmishes are occurring across country as states consider necessity of granting legal protections to those who object to same-sex weddings. MORE

Jul. 2, 2015

First Church of Cannabis in Indianapolis, Ind, where marijuana is illegal, is testing limits of state's religious freedom law by claiming marijuana use as part of broad spiritual philosophy. MORE

May. 7, 2015

Letter from New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu responds to April 23 Op-Ed article by Gov Bobby Jindal of Louisiana concerning his support of religious freedom law in state. MORE

Apr. 23, 2015

Op-Ed article by Louisiana Gov Bobby Jindal announces plans to passionately support passage of Marriage and Conscience Act in his state; says act will protect business owners who oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds; pledges not to succumb to pressure from corporations, whose influence was key in reversing similar laws in Indiana and Arkansas. MORE

Apr. 5, 2015

Indiana residents are distressed at image of intolerance that debate over religious freedom law has given their state, where many pride themselves on generosity and friendliness. MORE

Apr. 4, 2015

Political Memo; tumult in Indiana and Arkansas over religious freedom legislature underscores revival of culture wars, as well as expectations and pressures among Democrats and Republicans; parties have traded places on battles over social issues, with Democrats united in opposition and Republicans riven by dissent. MORE

Apr. 3, 2015

Conservative leaders are beating hasty retreat from religious freedom laws in Arkansas and Indiana amid backlash over their implications for gay civil rights; concessions have left Christian leaders unsettled and uncertain about future of laws that had been embraced as conservative answer to rapidly shifting national views on gay marriage and similar issues. MORE

Apr. 2, 2015

Current focus on gay rights versus religious freedoms lays bare deep divisions within Republican Party; social conservatives who oppose gay rights are pitted against party's pro-business wing, who fear laws like that signed by Indiana Gov Mike Pence spell negative financial consequences. MORE

Apr. 2, 2015

Seth Hutchinson, son of Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson, has publicly asked his father to veto state's religious freedom bill, saying it could legalize discrimination against homosexuals; younger Hutchinson has long differed with his father, and the rest of their conservative family, on political and social issues. MORE

Apr. 2, 2015

Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson, facing backlash from businesses and gay rights advocates, urges state legislators to recall and revise religious freedom bill that would allow organizations and businesses to ignore federal mandates allowing same-sex marriage; Hutchinson says he is considering executive order 'protecting against discrimination' within state government. MORE

Apr. 2, 2015

Gail Collins Op-Ed column addresses political mess in Indiana after Gov Mike Pence signed controversial religious freedom legislation; dismisses arguments from Pence and other Indiana politicians who claim law was not intended to enable discrimination against gays; lampoons current effort to walk back offensive law while maintaining support of state's social conservatives. MORE

Apr. 1, 2015

Arkansas passes its own version of bill portrayed by supporters as a religious freedom law, while Indiana Gov Mike Pence faces critics who contend its law could be wielded to discriminate against gay couples; Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson says he will sign measure, while Pence faces pressure on both sides from business and conservatives. MORE

Apr. 1, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence, responding to backlash over religious freedom law, promises to amend law's language to make clear that it does not give businesses right to deny services to same-sex couples; pledge, however, may not stem political fallout in what has come to be most turbulent incident of Pence's career. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

News Analysis; twenty states, including most recently Indiana, have passed their own versions of religious freedom laws; civil rights advocates contend state laws are not intended to protect religious minorities but are instead allowing some religious groups to discriminate against women, gays and lesbians and other groups. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

Supreme Court declines to review case involving longstanding policy by New York City Education Dept barring religious organizations from using public school facilities; leaves in place lower court decision that found policy constitutional, freeing Mayor Bill de Blasio to expel dozens of organizations that have been using facilities to hold services. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

Editorial maintains it is clear that Indiana's religious-freedom law has underlying purpose of discriminating against gay couples who wish to be married; disputes notion that free exercise of religion is under assault in Indiana or anywhere else in country; argues that law uses religion as cover for discrimination. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

David Brooks Op-Ed column expresses concern that critics of Indiana law, which is remarkably similar to federal 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, seem to be suggesting that there is no valid tension between religious pluralism and equality; cautions that gay rights movement is in position to retain moral high ground by using steady pressure and attitude of tolerance instead of coercion from an absolutist position. MORE

Mar. 30, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence rejects criticism of state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which he signed into law, saying he expects General Assembly to introduce legislation that will clarify law's intent; measure has spurred protests and threats to halt business with state over what critics say is law that condones discrimination against gays and lesbians. MORE

Mar. 30, 2015

William C Rhoden Sports of The Times column commends NCAA for expression of concern over Indiana's new religious freedom law, which could allow businesses to discriminate against homosexuals; urges Gov Mike Pence to repeal or amend law quickly, as many sports organizations may decide not to do business in state until he does. MORE

Mar. 28, 2015

Passage of Indiana law that may make it easier for businesses to refuse service to gay couples ignites uproar of protest from technology companies, actors and NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis and will hold Final Four of men's basketball tournament there; supporters of measure say it protects religious freedoms. MORE

Mar. 27, 2015

Indiana becomes first state to enact religious objections bill as Gov Mike Pence signs controversial measure into law; critics say bill is discriminatory against gay people but supporters contend law protects businesses from being compelled to provide same-sex wedding services if they choose not to because of religious beliefs. MORE

Mar. 24, 2015

Indiana House passes bill to protect business owners who do not want to provide services for same-sex couples based on religious grounds. MORE

Mar. 12, 2015

Utah Legislature passes measure banning employers and landlords from discriminating on basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; bill, which protects religious institutions that object to homosexuality, has backing of Mormon church leaders. MORE

Mar. 5, 2015

Feb. 11, 2015

Terrorist attacks in France have placed increased focus on role of teachers in instilling moral and civic values and respect for rule of law; teachers call task difficult one that should be shared by individual families and culture at large; of particular focus are debates regarding respect for religious faith and freedom to criticize religion. MORE

Jan. 28, 2015

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders, in effort to find middle ground, denounce discrimination against gays, while calling to protect rights of people whose religious beliefs oppose homosexuality and same-sex marriage; announcement comes as Utah is considering nondiscrimination law. MORE

Dec. 15, 2014

Senate confirms nomination of David N Saperstein to be ambassador at large for international religious freedom; Saperstein, a prominent Reform rabbi, will be in charge of countering religious persecution around the world. MORE

Nov. 4, 2014

Malaysia Memo; Malaysian government orders and rulings by country's Islamic council have made Allah, word for God in Malay language, reserved for use by Muslims; country's religious minorities have bristled at government's ban on non-Muslims using word Allah. MORE

Oct. 8, 2014

Supreme Court justices suggests they may dismiss case of whether prison officials in Arkansas may prohibit Muslim inmate Gregory H Holt from growing a half-inch beard because it may be an inadequate test of religious liberty. MORE

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